Tree

We put up our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. We put the lights on the fresh Fraser fur and then a couple days later picked a handful of he hundreds of ornaments we have collected over the year. It was funny to have a "strategy" while hanging ornaments this year. Breakables towards the top, soft towards the bottom. Teagan has gotten really good at collecting the child friendly
selections from the low hanging brances. She also was able to participate in a tradition Rick has had since a child. There is this one ornament that is a Santa flying a wood plane. It has always been the last ornament on the tree and is added by flying Santa into the branches (aka tossing him). Rick let Teagan help this year and she caught right on! Now, she thinks that is THE way to place any ornaments back on the tree. Too funny! I vote we keep a tree up year round. I love turning off all lights at night with just the glow of the tree and the smell of the fresh branches.

Turkey Day 2012

Well Thanksgiving 2012 has come and gone. I have to say that is one of my favorite meals of he year. Stuffing, potatoes, turkey, green bean casserole, new dishes oh and let's not forget the desserts. I heard in the news the average Turkey Day feast can easily rack up over 4000 calories. It is so worth it! In 09 we spent Thanksgiving with our surf friends and hosts in Nicaragua and then in 2010 we headed to Las Vegas for Chris's 21st Birthday bash. Those were both unique and amazing experiences but there is something to be said for pigging out and then digesting over some football! That is exactly what we did this year at Dan and Candys house. Ryker and Teagan were non-stop all afternoon. Teagan enjoyed her first true Turkey Day meal that she could actually eat! She even decided to use some of the mashed potatoes as hair gel!

XO,
EAT

8 years

I recently celebrated 8 years at CDW...wow! I certainly did not think I would make it that long coming right out of college. Sure there are days where I walk out the door with a grimace on my face but mostly it has become a place where my customers are my friends, I learn about new technology at the cost of only my time and the culture, benefits and work/life balance are pretty awesome too. It is incredible to see how technology has evolved over my 8 years there. At the same time, it is wild to think it has been 8 years since I migrated north to Chicago!

I once spent my days selling computers and toner to small businesses and now play a role in selling/designing/supporting enterprise solutions to large corporations. Working on an account team with Mike for nearly 5 years has taught me lessons in the value of a partnership and teamwork. Each day presents a new challenge at work. It makes the days I spend at home with Teagan that much sweeter and leaves me with the satisfaction I need at this point in my career. Who knows where this will take me but I feel lucky to work for a great company and fortunate to have the opportunity to grow with my customers!

Parrot

We have reached the parrot stage of toddlerhood...although I am fairly certain this will last well beyond the toddler years! Teagan is really into mocking our words and actions lately. I am sure this started months ago but it has been recognizable the past week. It seems like all of the sudden she understands English! We tell her or show her to splash and she does, we ask her to blow kisses and she does, we ask where a specific toy is and she shrugs her shoulders with open hands as if she is indicating she doesn't know (of course then she runs around shrieking until she finds it!) It is so fun to see the lines of communication spoken and unspoken opening up more and more.

Other actions that crack us up lately -

Clapping whenever she hears it or sees it
Laying a blanket down and we lay on it then she comes up and pulls our heads off so she can lay on it (for 2 seconds max)
Dancing when she hears a rhythm
HIDING...this one scares me sometimes but at home, she thinks hide and seek is hysterical
Throwing things...ok, not funny but it is cute when she goes for the wind up
We all know she says hi to anybody and everything but now it is BYE as well...and not when somebody leaves but to the cabinet/dishwasher when she closes it, the teacup when she shuts it, to us as she runs out of the room, etc
Climbing...also not funny but my word she is strong for a 14 month old!
Throwing kisses...nothing cuter!

XO,
EAT

Routine

Teagan used to sit in our laps while we read her a book or two before bed. Now, she climbs into her book bin and reads them to us! It has become part of the nightly routine now. She enjoys sitting on the books and pulling one out to flip through. Apparently we have a handful of books in foreign languages! Oh and it is election night 2012. Looking forward to hearing the results and then cheering them on as they take the signs down, pull the scathing ads off air and stop putting paraphernalia on our door :)

XO,
EAT

A day at the Museum

CDW had a corporate day at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago last weekend. We invited our friends the Littles and took advantage of a free day in a super fun place. I haven't been there in years and and knew there be plenty for all ages. We played in the Industry area and my personal fav, the science of storms and weather. Teagan was fascinated with all of the stimulation but she mostly wanted to socialize with the other museum goers! We hit up Tot Town that had an awesome Idea Center for activities geared towards the little ones. We will definitely be going back to continue the explorations!

Trick or Treat

Halloween this year was a big success! Rick and I dressed up for he first time in several years and Teagan was big enough to go trick or treating...well, more like running around people's yards, climbing stairs, eating Teddy Graham's and eventually breaking through to a Kit Kat. We participated in school's Trunk r Treat outing where we decorated our trunk and visited with other families. It was fun to see everybody outside of the normal environment and Teagan loved socializing as our little pink octopus. On Halloween eve we met Dan, Cara and Ryker at Gma and Gpa's to trick or treat in their neighborhood. Rick was a pirate and I was a captured princess. We figured this might be the last year we get to pick out Teagans outfit...last year was the lady bug. Who knows what her choice will be? 2012 was a success and fun for all ages!

XO,
EAT

Up

Teagan is trying new things everyday. She really does have no fear and is into climbing and standing on top of things she should not be on. We want to allow her to explore but at the same time, safety first! She figured out how to use a chair to get on the kitchen table, she loves climbing on top of of the storage ottomans, toy bins and now she stands on her music table and Timmy Turtle. Today she was on Timmy holding on with both hands, then one hand and then no hands. Last week she did a running jump over the back of the couch and landed in that ball pit on the other side. She is the mini version of her father!!

5 minutes in Teagans head

I am going to shout into this cup because it makes me really loud, oh wait there is my horsey and my taggie blankie I am going to carry both of those over to my puzzle pieces and see how many I can get in one hand. Drop all pieces I need to flip through this book, I think I will bring the book on Timmy Turtle. But I see a purple ball that isn't in the ball pit I better bring it back to the ball pit. Ohh the remote, buttons I love buttons. Look there is still some milk in this sippy cup, drained. Hmmm, mommy left her shoe out I think I will scoot around with one foot in it. Oh daddy has the spikey ball in his hand, lets play catch. Say hi to mommy and daddy...why are they smiling at me asking me if i want to take a bath? Wait why is Lolo laying on the ground, she needs to be in my hand. Ok I will sit here for 90 seconds and sort these block shapes in their wooden box. Oh no the lid isn't on the Lego bin I better put it back on... Nah I will take it back off and slide it across the floor....clothes are off must be time for a bath, I love water!

**as interpreted by Mom after a 5 minute observation.

3 years!

It has been 3 years since that snowy Colorado day where we gathered our friends and family to witness our marriage! A lot has changed since then but we are still best friends and each others rock and #1 fan. Happy Anniversary to us!!

Pumpkin Patch

We hit up the local pumpkin patch/everything fall farm this past weekend with our friends Shawn, Lauren and their little man, Riley. We went to the same farm last year but it was a completely different experience with Teagan. Last year we strolled around and only took her out of the car seat once for a quick photo or two. This year she was the tour guide of the farm...running around like she owned the place. We rode a ride or two, went on a wagon ride, played with pumpkins, drank apple cider and took a photo or 40. We headed home afterwards to let the kids play, eat some hot soup and watch a Bears victory. It was a fun Fall Sunday!

XO,
EAT

Jen and James are Married!

We were some of the lucky witnesses to the wedding of our sister Jen to James in Pelican Lake on September 22, 2012.

We arrived Friday evening where the group was cozied around a camp fire and the lights of the tent were still aglow. We got Teagan to bed (easy transfer from car to crib) and joined the group that was still awake. The big day was just around the corner!

It was a chilly Saturday but the sun was shining and it was pleasant if you were dressed appropriately. Jen was as cool as a cucumber, hair done, make-up on and just hanging out with friends and family until it was time to get ready. We had fall soups thanks to Aunt Tracy and Kim. As the wedding time neared, the family began to get ready. We laughed because the entire Tiltges family was ready 30 minutes ahead of schedule!

The ceremony was short and sweet but perfectly captured the moment and the reason we were all there. The reception tent was decked out with vintage and rustic decor and sentimental touches Jen and James selected. I happened to enjoy the dessert table with treats from different members of the family! I also like anything with logs and white lights so the centerpieces were right up my alley as well. The food and drink were great but the best part was seeing how happy and in the moment Jen and James were. They do like their privacy but it was so special to share the day with them. Dan and Candy's faces were also full of smiles all night long as they watched their oldest girl get married. We joked that the first 3 are all married which means 3 that are still unspoken for!

We also learned that Teagan loves a good party. Her and Ryker were running around the tent, giving a go at dancing and smiling at all of the attendees. It was so fun to have them there to celebrate with!

The newlyweds headed to the fire after the dance party and then were shuttled out to their private island for some peace and quiet. What a memorable day and a beautiful place to celebrate!

Congratulations and we love you!!

XO,
Beth and Rick

Photos

I have a gazillion photos of Teagan! I am almost positive I have more photos of her in her first year than I have of my entire childhood. I am still trying to figure out what to do with them all but thank goodness for the digital world or we would need a room just for photo albums! But how am I supposed to delete photos from my phone like these?!

4th Time

We are heading to the lake for the 4th time this year. This will be Teagan's 5th trip to Pelican Lake! We are heading up for a very special weekend to celebrate the wedding of Jen and James! We can't wait for the festivities and to toast to these two at their favorite place.

Road Trippin -

Girls Trip 2012: Nashville!

I am just returning from our annual Girls Trip I take every year with my 3 friends - Michele, Karly and Christy.  It became a tradition when we decided to get grown up and move out on our own.  This year's destination city was Nashville, TN!  I have always enjoyed country music but it has worked it's way into my repertoire in the last 5 years or so.  I was pretty stoked to check out this southern city that is known for it's music roots.  Nashville certainly did not disappoint!  We saw A TON of live bands up and down Broadway Street.  It was amazing they played any time of day and most of them are living out of the tip bucket.

We didn't get too touristy this time around because we were all there to catch-up, relax and unwind and just enjoy our time together.  We did do a Segway tour through the city which was a great time.  I had never been on a Segway but the technology behind the gyroscopic, self-balancing device was incredible.  It was an effective way to see the city and learn a bit about the history of life on Nash-town!     It was great to all be together again as we continue to mature in our lives and careers.  It was tough to leave Teagan and Rick but I got to check-in via FaceTime and he assured me they had a fun daddy/daughter weekend.  At the end of the trip, I couldn't get home fast enough back to those 2 in my arms.  It certainly is all about the balance!

Some of the highlights of our trip include:

Upstairs at Honky Tonk
Downstairs at Honky Tonk
Fireballs
Relaxing by the pool
The Sherpa
Michele's Onstage Performance
Virago Dinner
Fedoras
Weasels
Hash Marks
Sambucas Dinner
Cowboy Boots are for Tourists
Girl Talk
And SO MUCH MORE!!

XO,
EAT